By Ma. Cristina Arayata/PNA
MANILA — The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is now investigating 24 technical vocational institutions (TVIs) for alleged cases of “ghost training” and “ghost trainees”, an official said on Tuesday.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Susan dela Rama, TESDA Certification Office executive director and head of the Investigation Committee, said there are 28 registered technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs that possibly have cases of “ghost trainings” and “ghost trainees”.
The 28 programs are in 24 TVIs.
There are about 14,000 registered TVET programs in the country.
Dela Rama said TESDA has inspected about 4,000 programs since 2017.
“Out of 4000, mayroong 28, as of the moment, na pwedeng may incidences (ng ghost training at trainees). Ongoing pa naman yung investigation.” (Out of 4000, there are 28, as of the moment, that possibly have incidences of ghost training and trainees),” dela Rama said.
She described “ghost training” as trainings that were cut short, or those that did not follow the duration approved by TESDA.
Among these trainings include welding, housekeeping and massage, dela Rama said.
The TVIs under investigation are in Central Luzon, Regions 1 (Ilocos) and 4-A (Calabarzon) and Metro Manila. Most of them are private institutions.
“It was in December when Secretary Isidro Lapeña instructed us to form an investigation committee. There are evidences. TVIs have the chance to explain their side within five (working) days from receiving our letter,” dela Rama said.
TESDA sent the letters to the TVIs last Friday and will wait for the parties’ response until February 25, assuming that some of them have received the letter on February 18.
“There is a due process. We have staff that went to the regions. We also asked the regional offices to explain these to us,” dela Rama noted.
Dela Rama said TVI could face sanctions or criminal charges found guilty of the accusations.
“They would need to explain to us what really happened and if the findings are true. Otherwise, they would face sanctions,” she said.
Meanwhile, dela Rama confirmed that irregularities were also found in 34 other registered TVET programs.
The institutions offering these programs, however, only received warnings from TESDA and were asked to comply with the requirements to correct the violations.
Dela Rama said this is because the 34 programs have “minor violations”, unlike “ghost trainings” and “ghost trainees” that are grave violations.
Minor violations, she said, include missing small tools, dirty facilities, not well lighted or ventilated and lacking records.
“Others were found to have facilities that are non-compliant to standards, charging additional fees to students, etc.,” she added.
Dela Rama said Lapeña has instructed them to form another committee to strengthen the monitoring of compliance among TVIs.
